ReactOS 0.4.0 alpha (Emulation)

Changes: "A much requested feature for ReactOS was support for 16bit DOS applications. On Windows this support is provided by the NT Virtual DOS Machine (NTVDM) and the ReactOS implementation of it was first formally released in version 0.3.17. Needless to say since then the ReactOS NTVDM has seen considerable improvement to the point where many of the testers are sharing examples of old DOS games resurrected. And one of the biggest advantages to the way in which NTVDM is implemented in ReactOS is that support for it will continue on non IA-32 platforms, including AMD64 and even ARM."

ReactOS 0.4.0 alpha

If you don't have a working CD, try getting an external USB one. I don't think ReactOS support alternative ways of installation and USB support is pretty new so it's questionable if live USB would work on all chipsets.

Good news is it mostly works ok in Virtualbox. Although it tends to get stuck from time to time and not everything "under the hood" is yet implemented.

It has a very limited support for hardware out of the box. But it supports at least some Windows drivers (sound/graphic drivers should work, although you might have to use inf files instead of the installers).

But first thing is, you have to make it boot. I haven't had luck with that. I tried 2 laptops and 1 pc. It stopped at various stages.

I guess, if your PC is similar to what popular emulators emulate, it might work. If it does, even if it's not yet complete, it might even be usable. But, as I said it tends to get stuck. One app can slow down and block the whole system for a long time.

Good news is that a lot of apps for Windows XP (and earlier) at least somewhat work.

If you decide to try it, let us know how it worked. I'm really curious to see it running on a real system. :)

ReactOS 0.4.0 alpha

It is nice to see DOS compatibility will stay alive in Windows, at least under ReactOS.

Also seems that development speed, is now progressing again, after lots of 0.3.x back and forths releases.

> On February 16, 2016, ReactOS 0.4.0 (alpha) was released.> > Changes: "A much requested feature for ReactOS was support for 16bit DOS> applications. On Windows this support is provided by the NT Virtual DOS> Machine (NTVDM) and the ReactOS implementation of it was first formally> released in version 0.3.17. Needless to say since then the ReactOS NTVDM> has seen considerable improvement to the point where many of the testers> are sharing examples of old DOS games resurrected. And one of the biggest> advantages to the way in which NTVDM is implemented in ReactOS is that> support for it will continue on non IA-32 platforms, including AMD64 and> even ARM."> > Website: https://www.reactos.org/> > Downloads: https://www.reactos.org/download

ReactOS 0.4.0 alpha

Well, I did a quick test in VMWare (installation CD).
Yes, NTVDM can run Doom now (no sound) :)http://rayer.g6.cz/1tmp/ros_doom.png
but it is still quirky, e.g. DJGPP programs throws strange error at start-up:http://rayer.g6.cz/1tmp/ros_7z_bug.png
Also some DOS programs can hang whole reactOS, sometimes jut NTVDM breaks and system needs reboot or close/open new window.